A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pokhara vs. Puerto Princesa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pokhara or Puerto Princesa?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pokhara and Puerto Princesa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Pokhara or Puerto Princesa?

Pokhara

Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is strategically located near the popular Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Circuit, or the "Apple Pie Trail", is a popular trek through the Annapurna Valley that makes a circular route through stunning mountainous landscapes. Several other trekking options can be found in this region, too. Many people use Pohkara as a place to prepare or recover from their recently completed treks because it is less intimidating than the larger city of Kathmandu.

Puerto Princesa

The island of Palawan is known the Philippines' last frontier and its capital, Puerto Princesa, is considered the greenest city in the Philippines. With plenty of land that has yet to be explored and inundated with tourists, Puerto Princesa, also known as "The City of the Living God," is a nature buff's dream. Whether you want to swim with starfish, walk among the mangrove treetops, or visit the world's largest saltwater crocodile at the Palawan Nature Conservation Center, Puerto Princesa and its surrounding area offers plenty of opportunities to get into the great wide open.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Princesa or Pokhara?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $23, while the average daily cost in Puerto Princesa is $86. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Pokhara and Puerto Princesa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pokhara $3.70
    Puerto Princesa $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pokhara $7.40
    Puerto Princesa $48
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Puerto Princesa

Looking for a hotel in Pokhara or Puerto Princesa? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Pokhara


Hotels in Puerto Princesa


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Pokhara Hotel Prices and Puerto Princesa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pokhara $7.21
    Puerto Princesa $51
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.71

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:

  • VIP Luxury Sofa Bus Transfer Between Pokhara and Kathmandu: $16
  • Transfer to Lower Mustang (Jomsom): $205
  • Private Transfer:- Pokhara to Chitwan (Sauraha) by car: $68
  • Private Transfer: Pokhara Hotels to Pokhara Airport: $13
  • Private Transfer: Kathmandu ↔ Pokhara by Car, Jeep & Hiace: $73
  • Private Transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu: $120
  • White Water Rafting Half Day with Hotel Transfers: $70
  • Transfer To Kathmandu (VIP Sofa Tourist Bus) & Back: $12
  • Paragliding and Rafting Adventure with Transfers: $129
  • Paragliding Experience with Hotel Transfers: $139
  • One way transfer To or From Chitwan: $73
  • Kusma Swing Jumping Experience with Transfer: $150

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Princesa

Also for Puerto Princesa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 3day van transportation: airport transfer, city sightseeing van, beach transfers: $120
  • Airport Transfers airport to city center hotel and cruise port: $20
  • Honda Bay Island: Island Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $52
  • Palawan: Private San Vicente Airport Transfers: $160
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Princesa to El Nido: $203
  • Private Transfer to El Nido: $169
  • Private Transfers Puerto Princesa To Elnido: $260
  • Private for your group - transfers Puerto princesa to elnido : $100
  • PrivateTransfer from Puerto Princesa Port to Puerto Princesa city: $60
  • Puerto Princesa City Van Transfers: $23
  • Astoria Water Park Day Pass & Transfers: $232
  • One-Way Transfer To/From El Nido: $16

Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Puerto Princesa?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Princesa and Pokhara change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pokhara $13
    Puerto Princesa $34
Typical Food Prices in Pokhara

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:


  • Dinner for Two
    $4.25
  • Dessert (for 2)
    $2.84
  • Pastries
    $1.42
  • Dinner
    $6.03

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pokhara

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pokhara.

  • Nepali cultural dinner night in Pokhara: $21
  • Nepali Nights: Dinner & Cultural Dance Delight in Pokhara: $26
  • MoMo or Dal Bhat Cooking Class at Aama Kitchen in Pokhara: $29
  • Nepalese Kitchen in Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $29
  • 3 Hour MoMo cooking class: $31
  • Nepali Cooking Class and Momo Making Workshop: $42
  • Thakali food Cooking Class in Pokhara: $50
  • 2 hours Momo cooking class in Pokhara: $60
  • Nepali Cooking Class in Pokhara with a Local Family: $60
  • 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Princesa

For Puerto Princesa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Firefly Watching Paddle Boat Tour & Dinner: $27
  • Jungle Firefly Watching Boat Tour & Dinner: $32
  • Firefly Watching Bay Cruise with Dinner: $34
  • Firefly Watching with Dinner: $39
  • Firefly Watching Tour with Dinner: $53
  • Seafood Lunch or Dinner with transfers: $59
  • Underground River with Dinner at Kalui: $80
  • Underground River and Firefly Watching with Dinner: $87
  • Balayong People's Park with Dinner and Show: $116

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pokhara $6.87
    Puerto Princesa $6.77

Tours and Activities in Pokhara

Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2-Day Private Trekking Tour to Australian Camp & Dhampus: $99
  • Pokhara To Kathmandu Private Tour with Luxuries Car and Jeep: $100
  • “Pokhara in a Day: Guided Tour of Natural Wonders & Sacred Sites": $75
  • "Pokhara Day Bus Sightseeing 8 points": $20
  • "Pokhara Pumdikot Tour: Eagle Eye Views of Stunning Pokhara": $29
  • "Private Jeep Adventure: Scenic Drive to Dharapani from Pokhara": $200
  • "Sunrise and Scenic Day Hike in A Perfect Adventure: $84
  • 1-Day Private Dhampus Trekking Tour: $67
  • 110 Meters Bungee Jumping Tour in Pokhara: $105
  • 2 Day Private Panchase Trek Tour from Pokhara: $140
  • 2 Iconic Suspension Bridge Tour in Pokhara: $29
  • 2 Night 3 Day Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara: $240

Tours and Activities in Puerto Princesa

For Puerto Princesa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • PPS CITY TOUR: $13
  • Puerto Princesa; Half day City tour: $13
  • Cathedral and Baker's Hill Tour: $14
  • Puerto Princesa City Tour with Snacks: $14
  • Half Day City Tour with Butterfly Garden: $14
  • Half-Day City Tour with Optional Massage: $14
  • Half-day Puerto Princesa City Tour: $15
  • City tour of Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines : $20
  • 2in1 City tour and museum with pick up at hotel or cruise port: $25
  • Puerto Princesa Half Day City Tour (shared tour): $27
  • Half-Day City Tour from Puerto Princesa: $27
  • Shared Half City Tour with SPA: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pokhara $6.20
    Puerto Princesa $14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Puerto Princesa, we can see that Puerto Princesa is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pokhara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pokhara and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Puerto Princesa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Princesa than you might in Pokhara.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pokhara Expensive? and Is Puerto Princesa Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Pokhara or Puerto Princesa?

Pokhara has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Puerto Princesa. When comparing the sizes of Pokhara and Puerto Princesa, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.